KoreanAmericanHeritage.com is an educational tool for those seeking to learn more of Korean American history and culture.

“Be a good American citizen…but never forget your heritage.” “Life is not fair. You just have to do your best to succeed.” “If you want to be a leader nobody will come for you. You have to take the first step.” ~Susan Ahn Cuddy

Susan Ahn Cuddy was born in Los Angeles, CA January 16, 1915 to Dosan Ahn Chang Ho and Helen Ahn. Susan’s father, Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, is a prominent historical figure in Korea and in America; a number of landmarks are dedicated to him in his honor.

Susan attended Fremont Elementary school and Belmont High School. As a young student, Susan participated in a number of extracurricular activities such as the Girl Revers (a part of Esther Bartlett’s YWCA International Institute), baseball, volleyball and field hockey. Susan attended Los Angeles City College and went on to graduate from San Diego State College in 1940 with a degree in Social Studies.

Susan standing next to her mom Helen Ahn (right).

Susan (with hair bowtie) seated with her family circa 1917.

In 1942, Susan joined the United States Navy, becoming the first Asian American woman accepted into the Navy’s Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program. Susan first worked as a Link Trainer flight instructor, teaching pilots air combat tactics. She became the first ever female Gunnery Officer and trained US Naval pilots at Pensacola, Florida and eventually became a full Lieutenant. She went on to work for the US Navy Office of Intelligence, as Naval Liaison to the Library of Congress and at the National Security Agency.

During her time at the NSA, Susan worked as an intelligence Analyst at the height of the Cold War and was promoted to the Department Chief of the Central Reference section where she supervised over 300 scholars and experts on the USSR. Susan worked on many top secret projects for the Department of Defense during her service with the United States government until she retired in 1959. Susan held the highest security clearance of any Asian for a long time.

Susan pictured with her brothers Ralph and Philip.

On April 25, 1947, Susan married Chief Petty Officer Francis X. Cuddy (deceased 1994) who also worked for the US Navy Office of Intelligence and the National Security Agency. Mr. Cuddy served 33 years in the Navy as a Cryptographer who helped the United States defeat Japan. He spoke Japanese fluently. He always supported Susan’s involvement in Korean affairs.

In 1959, Susan came home to Los Angeles to join the Ahn Family in managing the famous Phil Ahn’s Moongate Restaurant in Panorama City. Susan became active in the Korean American community and worked to inspire and support the growing Korean American population in Los Angeles while also preserving the history of the pioneer Korean immigrants. http://www.susanahncuddy.com/themoongate.html

Better late than never I say, I have been wanting to see Searching for sometime. Been a fan of John Cho since Harry and Kumar goes to White Castle days, I still am holding on to a unopened Mr. Sulu toy for John Cho to sign someday. Searching is probably one of my favorite movies that John is starring in. He is becoming the Philip Ahn of my generation (I know that his nephew Flip would not agree but give it sometime I know John will get there soon). I was glad there was no kimchi joke in this movie but really was a reflection of an American-Korean family drama. The visual of utilizing the familiar computer screen and filming the use of the computer and other media devices was executed well. The acting take you on a mystery ride with a WTH NO WAY moment at the end. No wonder this movie is still fresh on Rottentomatoes.com and will stay fresh for a while (don’t be making that kimchi-jigae anytime soon). I highly recommend anyone to go see this movie and support American-Koreans in the entertainment industry. Sorry for the kimchi joke.

KoreanAmericanHeritage.com had the honor of interviewing AZRA check out the podcast here.

AZRA just released her music video for her new single "Dimension".

She is a pop artist who does it all from singing, dancing, song writing, and performer. She manages her own music label and even wrote a book on the cupcake theory. A talented force to recognize and blazing a trail in the music scene. Learn about her beginnings, inspirations, and musical odyssey. We are honored to have her on our podcast and looking forward to AZRA's future projects.

" Some educators do not believe in spending too much time on the study of history as they think no one has enough time to learn what had happened, what is happening now and what may happen in the future. It would be more profitable to be posted on what is going on at the present and, if he has some spare time, to speculate what will transpire later. Well, they may be right about it, but for myself I still believe in knowing some facts about the past, because the knowledge of the past is often necessary in diagnosing correctly the nature of present conditions and making intelligent prediction of the future. Just looking at things at a close range is apt to make the observer lose the sense of perspective and judgement of proportion. I do not want to spend all my time in the study of history of the dead past but some knowledge of it is essential in the accurate analysis of the situation which confronts us now. When a physician is called in at the time of sickness the most important thing for him to find out is what is causing the trouble so that he may apply the correct treatment. But if he knows something about the past history of the patient he is more apt to formulate the right treatment. For that reason all physicians try to obtain the personal and family history of their patients whenever possible. Diagnoses and treatment of a sick nation require the same logic. No one can restore ailing nations to health unless he understands the history of that nation and what has brought on the present trouble as an immediate cause or excitant. It is also known to all that many sick nations have regained their health and become an active and respected member in the family of nations. Knowing these to be facts no courageous person should get discouraged or disheartened over misfortunes of the country which he loves. Most nations get sick in certain periods of their history, but it is neither necessary nor wise for their people to deem the case hopeless. On the contrary, it is their duty to find out the cause of the trouble and remove it so that the country may be restored to health and vigor. That was my belief and it is my belief today. Perhaps very few men have had as many disappointments and setbacks in life as I have, but I am still hopeful that Korea may rise up again from the ashes as a rejuvenated young old nation. We may not realize it, but I feel that there is a revolutionary spirit which gradually but inexorably is pervading in different parts of the world. Communism, fascism, naziism and many other ideologies which we hear of every day are an indication of the restlessness that is gripping a large portion of the world's population who are groping in the dark for a solution to their troubles and ailments. Those of us who are living in the UNited States are blessed with an abundance of material resources and governed with a fair degree of justice so that we are not actually in want of necessities of subsistence, nor are we being unduly oppressed by those who have more advantages than we have, therefore we believe in democracy, and we want no radical changes in political, social or economic institutions as they are today. In other words, we take a conservative view of life. However, we must not shut our eyes to the deplorable conditions that exist in many parts of the world where political, social and economic injustice is grinding down millions of human beings. As long as there is oppression, injustice, and denial of human rights there will be a destructive force which will keep the whole world in turmoil." (The New Korea, November 9, 1939/ My Days in Korea and Other Essays by Philip Jaisohn, M.D. Edited by Sun-pyo Hong Yonsei Univ Press pg. 144)

Is history worth learning then? Does Dr. Jaisohn message still apply to today's current events?

As July 4th draws nears I remind myself what does this day really mean to me. As a Korean American I share a history of people who sought to live freely both in America and Korea. It took an idea that "all men are created equal" and put into action by others who sacrificed before us. Reminding me of the same spirit to fight for independence and self-determination. Hence "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." I want to take this moment to share what Seo Jai-Pil aka Philip Jaisohn wrote to the second generation of Korean Americans back in February 23, 1939 in an article on The New Korea.

"The Second Generation of Koreans Should Contribute Their Share to American Prosperity In many ways the poorest American enjoys more privileges and luxuries than the riches Korean. He can send his children to find schools. He is protected from fire, pestilence, and robbery. Hospital service is at his command for asking, public parks are open to him, his rights as a citizen are respected by all, his personal liberty, and social security of his home and family is just as zealously guarded by the police and courts of his community as those of his millionaire neighbor. There is no legal of social barrier for him to rise up to any high level in society to which he may aspire. In this age of dictatorships in many parts of the world where people are gradually losing their freedom, those of us living in America should be thankful. As a token of our gratefulness, let us all give our best to keep America free from economic and social oppression, and at the same time let us direct our thoughts and activities to the work of producing some commodities that will contribute to the wealth and prosperity of the communities in which we live. I know that some Koreans have done quite well along this line by putting on the market certain food products. New Ilhan of Detroit and Peter Hyun of Los Angeles are some of the outstanding examples, but these two are not enough. We should have more as there are many other fields where the second generation of the Koreans can enter and make a success. Some of us have to sell our services for a living and some are obliged to sell. The most valuable service we can give America is to create something new that will meet the needs of the American people." (My Days in Korea and Other Essays by Philip Jaisohn, M.D. Edited by Sun-pyo Hong, Yonsei Univ. Press, pg. 80)